Vigil remembers victims of violence against women

A vigil in honour of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women will be held in Kingston on Dec. 6.

The vigil will be held at 5 p.m. at Sydenham Street United Church and will commemorate the lives of 14 women murdered in the Montreal Massacre at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989. The event will also honour the lives of other Ontario women who have been killed through gender-based violence.

The local event will include live music, speakers, a candlelight vigil and a rose ceremony.

Jean Quinn, chair of the Kingston Anti-Violence Advisory, said the rose ceremony, where roses are laid for women who have been killed as the result of gender-based violence, is especially moving.

"It’s truly emotional for a lot of people, especially people who have been through a similar events," Quinn said. "On the other hand, there’s a feeling on honouring these women so that they aren’t forgotten, because of a tragedy that affected their lives."

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women was established by Parliament in 1991.

"December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society," reads the Status of Women Canada website about the day. "It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls."

City Hall and Springer Market Square will be lit up in orange for the day.

Quinn said the event also aims to highlight the fact that gender-based violence happens every day.

"People need to be aware that this violence continues and that they can help support women who are going through that," Quinn said. "People shouldn’t turn a blind eye if they see someone crying in a restaurant and the guy slaps her, they shouldn’t turn away and say, ‘Oh, they’re not having a good day,’ they should go up and ask the woman if she is OK, or step in somehow to break up that violence."

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the event is free to the public.

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Resources for women experiencing domestic violence include the Kingston Police (613-549-4660), Kingston Interval House (613-546-1777), Kingston General Hospital’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program (613-549-6666, ext. 4880), Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (24-hour crisis line: 613-544-6424 or 1-877-544-6424) and Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac (613-548-4834). More resources can be found at kpf.ca under the Courts & Offences menu option.